What’s in this document?
This page contains versions of questions that will appear on the November 8, 2022 ballot: sections titled “Original 2022 Ballot Text” contain measures as they will appear on the ballot, while sections titled “Plain Language Version” provide plain language versions of the measures which follow recommendations for a format prepared by Common Cause/NY and the Center for Civic Design. Both the version that will appear on the ballot and the plain language version are followed by the grade reading comprehension level for the version.
Original text on the 2022 ballot: CLEAN WATER, CLEAN AIR, AND GREEN JOBS Environmental Bond Act of 2022
To address and combat the impact of climate change and damage to the environment, the “Clean Water, Clean Air, and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022” authorizes the sale of state bonds up to four billion two hundred million dollars to fund environmental protection, natural restoration, resiliency, and clean energy projects. Shall the Environmental Bond Act of 2022 be approved?
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Plain Language Version: CLEAN WATER, CLEAN AIR, AND GREEN JOBS Environmental Bond Act of 2022
Should New York sell up to $4.2 billion in bonds? The income would fund:
- Environmental protection,
- Natural restoration,
- Resiliency, and
- Clean energy projects
A yes vote would authorize the sale of state bonds to combat the impact of climate change. A no vote means there would not be a sale of state bonds.
Original text on the 2022 ballot: Add a Statement of Values to Guide Government
This proposal would amend the New York City Charter to:
Add a preamble, which would be an introductory statement of values and vision aspiring toward “a just and equitable city for all” New Yorkers; and
Include in the preamble a statement that the City must strive to remedy “past and continuing harms and to reconstruct, revise, and reimagine our foundations, structures, institutions, and laws to promote justice and equity for all New Yorkers.”
The preamble is intended to guide City government in fulfilling its duties.
Shall this proposal be adopted?
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Plain Language Version: Add a Statement of Values to the New York City Charter to Guide City Government
Should NYC add an introduction to the City Charter? Such an introduction would:
- Define a vision for “a just and equitable city”
- Direct government to correct “past and continuing harms”
A yes vote adds an introduction to the New York City Charter to guide city government in fulfilling its duties.
A no vote means the Charter will not change.
Original text on the 2022 ballot: Establish a Racial Equity Office, Plan, and Commission
This proposal would amend the City Charter to:
Require citywide and agency-specific Racial Equity Plans every two years. The plans would include intended strategies and goals to improve racial equity and to reduce or eliminate racial disparities;
Establish an Office of Racial Equity and appoint a Chief Equity Officer to advance racial equity and coordinate the City’s racial equity planning process. The Office would support City agencies in improving access to City services and programs for those people and communities who have been negatively affected by previous policies or actions, and collect and report data related to equity; and
Establish a Commission on Racial Equity, appointed by City elected officials. In making appointments to this Commission, elected officials would be required to consider appointees who are representative of or have experience advocating for a diverse range of communities. The Commission would identify and propose priorities to inform the racial equity planning process and review agency and citywide Racial Equity Plans.
Shall this proposal be adopted?
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Plain Language Version: Create a Racial Equity Commission, Office, and Plans
Should New York City develop a racial equity planning process run by a Commission?
The goal of this proposal is to reduce or end racial disparities in New York City.
A yes vote changes the City Charter and creates a Racial Equity Commission, Office, and Plans with regular reports on progress.
A no vote means the Charter will not change.
Original text on the 2022 ballot: Measure the True Cost of Living
This proposal would amend the City Charter to:
Require the City to create a “true cost of living” measure to track the actual cost in New York City of meeting essential needs, including housing, food, childcare, transportation, and other necessary costs, and without considering public, private, or informal assistance, in order to inform programmatic and policy decisions; and
Require the City government to report annually on the “true cost of living” measure.
Shall this proposal be adopted?
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Plain Language Version: Measure the True Cost of Living In New York City
Should New York City create a “true cost of living” measure to inform policy and program decisions?
The measure would track the cost of:
- Housing
- Food
- Childcare
- Transportation
- Other necessities
A yes vote would amend the City Charter and require annual reports on the “true cost of living” in New York City.
A no vote would not change the Charter.